Brachiocephalic vessel: selective and superselective catheterization.

The development of a catheter for easy and reproducible selective and superselective catheterization of the distal branches of the brachiocephalic arteries is reported. The catheter consists of a proximal 6- or 7-F braided wire shaft and a distal, nonbraided 10 cm made of thin-walled polyurethane with a 4- or 5-F diameter. The most distal 1 cm has a 105-degree curve and is not tapered at the tip. In this series, 209 patients were embolized in 277 separate procedures. Catheterization of the desired vessel was achieved in more than 95% of cases.